Saint Kitts and Nevis – Opulent Routes

Experiences in St. Kitts & Nevis

Opulent Routes — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:37:05 +0000

Beautiful Designs - LOCAL CRAFTS

AUTHENTIC KITTITIAN SHOPPING
Shopping in St. Kitts will exceed expectations with a host of locally made crafts to purchase as a special gift for your home or loved ones. Shop for popular batik prints, locally designed clothing, unique Kittitian art and beautiful island gifts sold at the many boutiques and craft shops that line the streets of Basseterre.

ARTISANAL ARTS AND CRAFTS, BATIK PRINTS AND MORE
A stroll through the Amino craft market at Port Zante provides a first glimpse of some of the island’s artisans at work. Browse an eclectic mix of hand-crafted pottery, accessories, painting, natural homemade soups or oils, souvenirs and leather goods. Shopping in St. Kitts is not complete without a visit to Caribelle Batik where you can pick up a variety of Batik apparel and décor, all hand-painted by a local artist. Art lovers can visit Rose Cameron Art Gallery on North Independence Square and DALE Original Art & Style gallery that carries fine art, sculpture, jewelry and glassworks from several artists who are members of its local art collective, iFlamboyant.

Whether you pick up a unique piece from the Craft House, indulge in luxury shopping at Christopher Harbour, Pelican Mall or TDC Mall or hit the duty free shops at the Circus, shopping St. Kitts is a must-do. And don’t leave without purchasing a “a bite of Sugar city” guava cheese, tamarind balls, coconut fudge and of course one of our many flavours of local rum.

Casino & Gaming – Try Your Luck!
Ramping up the excitement for those who enjoy games of chance, the resort offers the 35,000 square-foot Royal Beach Casino – one of the largest and most luxurious in the Caribbean. Win big, then dance the night away in the nightclub!

Royal Beach Casino
The Royal Beach Casino is located at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort in Frigate Bay. One of the Caribbean’s largest and most luxurious casinos, this 35,000-square-foot hall boasts more than 100 thrilling casino games, table games, mini games and a variety of live-feed Bingo games, all for free. The casino participates in the super high-roller World Poker Tour.

Mapau Casino
MaPau Casino, part of the Porte Zante Commercial District in the capital of Basseterre, features more than 100 slot machines and electronic tables of Blackjack and Roulette. You’ll also have a plethora of dining options and the thrill of exciting bingo games on Fridays.

Food & Drink – Savor fresh ISLAND FLAVOR

ST. KITTS RESTAURANTS
On St. Kitts, our rich culinary culture fuses Caribbean island ingenuity with Old World traditions. Passionate chefs create cuisine that shines with fresh-off-the-boat seafood and island-grown produce while restaurateurs dream up evermore magical settings to enjoy it all. Whether you’re tucked within the historic stone walls of an old sugar plantation, sitting at a windswept picnic table on the sand, or dining at the signature restaurant of one of our 5 star hotels, you’ll revel in a uniquely Kittitian experience – a love of good food enjoyed with great friends.

THE STRIP
Over the past few years, The Strip has become the undisputed number one hot-spot on the island. The Monkey Bar, with its open-air dance floor, brought the first wave of party lovers in the early ‘90s, and has since grown to include a fine restaurant, is located towards the eastern end of The Strip. Opening daily at 10:00 am, enjoy lunch at the restaurant, or come back for a dance under the stars to a variety of local music on Sunday and Friday nights.

As this area of Frigate Bay developed, The Strip has become a true phenomenon. Today, there are plenty of places to choose from along The Strip, each with its own mix of music, dance, food, drink and beautiful people.

The Dock, situated at the extreme eastern end, is the newest hot spot on Sunday evenings, this bar is a part of the Timothy Beach Resort. As the name suggests, it includes a pier at which small craft can dock and it offers WiFi service allowing their passengers to stop in for a quick meal, a few drinks and a spectacular view of the sunset. This facility provides an atmosphere that is somewhat contrasting to the more casual ambiance that is characteristic of most of The Strip.

Just a few short steps from the Dock is one of the best-known spots, Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack. Here, “limers” can enjoy a roaring bonfire, a live band, DJ music, karaoke or even a fire-eating show, depending on the night.

Shiggidy Shack is also an excellent place to sample our great Kittitian cuisine in a true traditional island setting. It opens at 10:00 am.

As one continues west along The Strip, the lively Vibes Bar is impossible to miss. This spot is open for breakfast at 7:00 am and also serves lunch and a light dinner. There is DJ music evenings, Monday through Friday, and live music on some evenings nights. Visitors can view their favorite games on the large screen TV while they enjoy the ambiance and sip to their selected concoction from one of the largest bars on the island.

Other stops along The Strip include Mexican restaurant and home cooking at Cathy’s and Patsy’s both of which normal for their tasty seafood meals. Patsy’s has “mike night” (karaoke) on Thursdays, in addition to nightly DJ music mostly on weekends. And let us not forget Boozies, a great place to take in our island ambiance as its name implies, enjoy your favorite Booze. Boozies is also known for its cuisine.

Another popular spot on The Strip is Buddies Bar & Grill. Buddies offer DJ music on weekends and a live band on special occasions. It is located at the western end of the strip, diagonally across the road from Inon’s Bar. It opens at 9:00 am.

As you’ll see, South Frigate Bay is much more than a lovely beach for daytime sunbathing and other pleasures. After you watch that sun go down, stick around and watch as The Strip transforms into a vibrant and exciting hot-spot that keeps the heat on until the wee hours of the morning.

Weddings & Honeymoon in St. Kitts & Nevis

Opulent Routes — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:29:25 +0000

Romance - Happily ever after starts here!

CELEBRATE LOVE ON OUR SHORES
Here on this centuries old playground of restored plantation estates, forgotten sugar mills and lush rainforests, a picture-perfect oasis beckons with romantic getaways, destination weddings and blissful honeymoons. Follow your heart to St. Kitts and discover unique wedding venues, thrilling island adventures, fresh island cuisine and enchanting stays from boutique to luxury oceanfront resorts.

YOUR HONEYMOON IN ST. KITTS
A lover’s playground of beguiling beauty, St. Kitts is an irresistible setting for sheer bliss on your honeymoon. Discover the best wedding deals and honeymoon packages available on the island and relax knowing you can enjoy paradise at the best possible price too.

TAILORED SPECIALS FOR BRIDAL COUPLES
When it comes to planning the ultimate honeymoon, St. Kitts offers an utterly romantic escape amidst intoxicating natural beauty. If you need more reasons to say yes, discover irresistible specials for wedding packages and honeymoon getaways, whether its at a luxury beachfront resort or a one-of-kind boutique hotel experience. Follow your heart to a place that seduces all the senses and fall in love, all over again.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Say yes to forever at a hilltop fairytale fortress, walk down the aisle of an old stone church, plan an intimate celebration at a historic estate or say I do with your toes in the sand on a palm-lined beach. A hotspot for destination weddings, our wedding planners and event specialists offer expertise to orchestrate every element of your idyllic island celebration.

ENCHANTING WEDDING LOCATIONS
Say “I do” beneath a sunny blue sky, to the rhythmic sound of the crashing surf, in the tropical paradise of St. Kitts. Whether you choose one of our colonial churches, white sandy beaches, or charming historic ruins for your special day, you won’t find a more romantic venue. And rest assured that our Kittitian wedding planners are standing by to help you plan the most romantic day of your life. Here are some of our most unique and beautiful places to tie the knot.

Spa & Wellness in St. Kitts & Nevis

Opulent Routes — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:23:56 +0000

Spa & Wellness - Paths to Harmony

Tap into ancient traditions once reserved for royalty. Enjoy the nurturing powers of native flowers, spices, and volcanic stone. Here on St. Kitts, relaxation and rejuvenation is essential to an island vacation. Be swept away into a world of perfect serenity, as stress, fatigue, and tension all slip away.

Two full-service spa facilities, located at St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the new Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, offer pampering treatments in sanctuaries of island splendor. Unique services include the Firestone Massage using local lava rock at the Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Park Hyatt, and the Bamboo Signature Massage at Marriott’s Emerald Mist Spa.

No matter which path to harmony you choose, a soothing Caribbean spa experience awaits on St. Kitts.

Diving in St. Kitts & Nevis

Opulent Routes — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:21:37 +0000

Diving - The underwater Gardens

Scuba divers of all ages and abilities delight in St. Kitts’ glorious underwater world, with many sites virtually unexplored. Bordered by the Caribbean and the Atlantic, the island offers a range of options, from near-shore reefs to subaquatic caves. Underwater visibility ranges from 30 to 100 feet deep, meaning you’ll have crystal-clear views of walls, ledges, under hangs, coral towers, and sunken ships, all swarming with sea life. St. Kitts’ sister island, Nevis, also offers supreme diving, along with the channel between the two.

SCUBA DIVING IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS INCLUDES:
Reef diving. Our reefs provide a good hiding place for Spotted Drum, High Hat Arrow Crab and large lobsters. Divers love the Hot Vent at 90 feet, fizzing with 100oF water. Depths range from 35 feet to 95 feet.

Wreck dives. More than 400 ships have sunk off the shores of St. Kitts, with only a dozen or so having been identified to date.The most popular wreck dive, especially for novices, is River Taw, a 144-foot-long freighter sunk at 50 feet in 1985. A large variety of reef fish, including Squirrel Fish, Barracuda, Glassed Eye Snapper, and Angel Fish, flit about its encrusted coral.

Cave diving. Divers at Devil’s Cave, north of Charlestown on Nevis’ west coast, navigate through coral grottos and around overhangs crowded with Glassy Sweepers, Blue Tang, Nurse Sharks, Sting Rays, and on occasion Black Tip Reef Shark. Depths are up to 40 feet.

Resort courses are offered at many of the properties to introduce clients to the world below without having to be a Certified Scuba Diver. The adventure starts with a session in the pool and a briefing on the basics of scuba diving. Once potential divers master the basic rules, including how to clear the mask, clear your ears, breathe underwater, signal OK, signal out of air and control buoyancy, a dive boat will take you out to sea for a one-tank dive. Experienced PADI instructors supervise the entire dive. Resort course participants must be at least 10 years of age. Most courses limit the dive to a depth of 30 feet.

Sea temperatures in St. Kitts range from 74oF-79oF in winter to 80oF-85oF in summer. Divers find that a 2.5 or 3mm Shorty provides adequate warmth while diving. Those who dive in warmer waters, or tend to feel the cold, may want to opt for a 3mm full suit, especially during the winter months.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ dive operators are accredited by recognized certification agencies (PADI and NAUI) and can also train and certify new divers. Dives can be arranged directly with the operator or through any of the islands’ hotels. All necessary gear can be rented at the dive shops. There is no decompression chamber on the island.

Golf in St. Kitts & Nevis

Opulent Routes — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:19:20 +0000

INSPIRED GOLF, ISLAND VIBES

On the twin islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, its all to easy to take your eyes off the ball. Both the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and Robert Trent Jones II Course on Four Seasons Golf Club boast breathtaking ocean views and mist-shrouded peaks everywhere you turn. Playing host to the popular Admirals Cup Pro Am each year, St. Kitts is fast becoming on of the Caribbean’s favorite golf destinations.

ROBERT TRENT JONES II GOLF COURSE
Take in a dramatic view of the Resort and the neighbouring island of St Kitts as you tee off on our 18-hole, par-71 course, surrounded by vibrant, tropical foliage. Be sure to keep an eye out for the playful green vervet monkeys that also call our island home.

Royal St. Kitts Golf Club
The Royal St. Kitts Golf Club is a spectacular Caribbean golf course. Originally opened in 1976 and recently renovated, Royal St. Kitts is one of the best conditioned and most scenic golf courses in the Caribbean. Golfers can always expect incredible course conditions and great customer service when coming out to play.

After closing for renovations in the spring of 2002, the first nine holes and the beautiful new clubhouse opened for play in November 2003. The full 18-hole championship course then reopened on November 8th, 2004. The magnificent layout has 125 irrigated acres of lush grass and allows golfers to play two full holes on the Caribbean Sea and three complete holes on the Atlantic Ocean. The redesign was done by famed architect Thomas McBroom of Toronto, Canada.

Royal St. Kitts plays as an 18-hole, Par 71 course at 6,900 yards from the championship gold tees. But with three other sets of tees it is fun for every level of player. This extraordinary layout boasts water hazards on 10 holes, 80 bunkers and a multitude of coconut palm trees along the Atlantic Ocean. For a truly memorable Caribbean golf experience, join us at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club.

Explore St. Kitts & Nevis

Opulent Routes — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:12:36 +0000

St. Kitts - Follow your wanderlust!

Explore a carefully preserved world heritage site at the Brimstone Hill Fortress, charming historical architecture and old churches in the bustling capital of Basseterre and lavish colonial estates featuring fascinating examples of Carib petroglyphs. St. Kitts offers fascinating sights that will engage all your senses in every direction.

Attractions & Historical Sites

BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS
Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of historical, cultural and architectural significance. This centuries-old citadel is a monument to the ingenuity of the British military engineers who designed it and to the skill and strength of the African slaves who built it on the steep at the risk and probable loss of lives. The walls are predominantly made of stone, painstakingly carved from Brimstone Hill’s hard volcanic rock. The mortar was produced from the limestone that covers much of the middle and lower slopes. Begun in the 1690s, the fortress finally took shape as a complete military community in the 1790s. This prominent citadel is one of the earliest and finest surviving examples of a new style of fortification known as the polygonal system. Its elevated vantage point offers panoramic vistas of forested mountains, cultivated fields, the historical township of Sandy Point, and neighboring Dutch, English and French islands across the Caribbean Sea.

FAIRVIEW GREAT HOUSE & BOTANICAL GARDENS
This 18th century Great House has been authentically restored to its former glory with careful attention to historical detail. Step back in time as you wander through the dining room with its sixteen seat mahogany dinner table and antique silver service, as well as the Historical Room that chronicles the fascinating past of Fairview. Step on to the master bedroom veranda and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic vista of the Caribbean Sea, South-East Peninsula and St. Kitts’ sister island of Nevis. Then take a leisurely stroll through the Botanical Garden filled with local flora, identified with signage providing interesting information about each. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the monkeys who love to feast on the fruit trees on the property.

OLD TREASURY BUILDING & MUSEUM
The Treasury Building, known affectionately as the “Old Treasury Building” is one of the most outstanding architectural buildings in downtown Basseterre. Built in 1894, this impressive structure has been witness to the procession of life in the nation’s capital for over a hundred years. The foundation stone was laid by Lady Haynes-Smith, the wife of then Governor Sir William Haynes. In addition to the treasury, it also housed the offices of the administrator, customs, audit, supply and post office. The treasury building adopted the name “The Gateway to the Island”, as its imposing archway led the way to the streets of Basseterre for many visitors and travelling residents arriving by boat. The two-story stone structure designed in Georgian architectural style is one of the more interesting buildings to be seen around Basseterre. For years the dome at the top of the building served as a lighthouse guiding hundreds of captains that docked boats and ships at the treasury landing pier.

ROMNEY MANOR
Owned and run by successive Earls of Romney over the centuries, no visit to St. Kitts is complete without a tour of the Historic Romney Manor and its pristine gardens featuring an over 300-year-old SAMAN tree. If trees could talk, this one could tell the entire story of the Caribbean. This majestic setting is now home to the island’s Caribelle Batik craft. Visitors witness the fascinating process of Caribelle Batik demonstrated here and everything from casual wear, accessories and gift items made of Caribelle Batik are available for sale on the premises.

ST. GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH
First erected in 1670 as a Roman Catholic Church by French Jesuits and named Notre Dame, over the centuries this ancient church has faced bloody battles, fire and even natural weather disasters, each time restored or completely rebuilt. In 1706 Notre Dame was burnt to the ground during the Anglo-French War by English soldiers billeted there. The church was re-built by 1710 and re-named St. George’s. From the 1720’s, it became a place of worship for the Anglicans. It was damaged again in the fire of 1763, and once again restored. The earthquake of 1842, followed by the hurricane of 1843, reduced it to ruins, and an entirely new building was planned. But the congregation continued to worship in the ruins until a new church was consecrated on the 25th March, 1859. Seven years afterwards, it was gutted in the Great Fire of 1867; and was re-roofed, and restored in 1869. In a series of hurricanes since 1989, the church was again damaged but restoration work has since been undertaken on the building.

CHURCH OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
An ornate church constructed out of grey stone and located on the eastern side of Independence Square in Basseterre. After the English take over in 1713, Roman Catholics were forbidden by law to worship in public. They were prohibited from civil or military office unless they took and subscribed to certain oaths and declarations. In 1829, an act was passed removing all such restrictions. Catholicism began to flourish on the island of St. Kitts during the nineteenth century thanks to Irish and Portuguese immigrants. A church was built in 1856 called the Church of the Immaculate Conception. In 1927, it was demolished and replaced by a modern edifice on the same site on East Square Street.

CARIB PETROGLYPHS
St. Kitts’ history traces back millennia, and nowhere does that become more apparent than along Wingfield Road and Stone Fort River. The island is home to hundreds of ancient rock carvings, the most prominent of which can be found, traced in white paint, on a boulder along the route to Wingfield Estate. If you’re looking for quantity, though, head for the southern half of the island; a 20th-century study of Stone Fort River found 115 petroglyphs etched into its ravine’s craggy walls. We recommend a guided hike, but venture at your own risk: These are the old religious grounds of the Caribs. Some say the area’s bees are the spirits of the island’s ancient indigenous people — and they will protect their land!

HALF WAY TREE VILLAGE
In 1625, Thomas Warner’s small British colony greeted the unexpected arrival of a French ship, which had suffered an unfortunate encounter with a Spanish warship. Captain Pierre Belain d’Esnambue and his crew limped into St. Kitts to make much-needed repairs. Clearly impressed with what he saw, he returned soon afterwards with a small group of colonists. Initially, the French presence was received in friendship (or was at least tolerated). The two groups chose the great tamarind tree of Half Way Tree Village to mark the border between the French and British territories on St. Kitts. As the colonies grew and prospered, this border would be sorely tested.

SPRINGFIELD CEMETERY AND CHAPEL
Until the Cholera Epidemic in 1854, all burials would take place in churchyard cemeteries. It was estimated that one sixth of the population died from the disease. To solve the ‘dangerous’ health problem posed by the cholera epidemic, the Government purchased land at Springfield for use as a Cemetery for the Parish of St. George. In 1858, legislation was passed prohibiting burials anywhere in Basseterre except at the Springfield Cemetery. In 1862, the Mortuary Chapel in Springfield Cemetery was erected at public expense for use by all religious denominations to conduct services for those persons who had died at the nearby Cunningham Hospital.

THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Around the time of Emancipation (1834), a planter-merchant and Vestryman called Thomas Harper bought this new property and named it Springfield. In 1848 it became the official residence of the revered Francis Robert Brathwaite, when he procured Springfield as a more fitting accommodation for his new position as the first Archdeacon of the Diocese of Antigua. Today Springfield House serves as the official residence of the Governor General of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
Originally known as Pall Mall Square, this area was renamed when St. Kitts and Nevis achieved political independence on September 19, 1983. Besides its new moniker, though, the space itself serves as a reminder of the island’s long path to freedom. When it was first acquired in 1750, it functioned as Basseterre’s administrative, social, and commercial hub. Countless slaves, ferried here by ship, were sold on this site; the cellars where they were held can still be seen in the colonial-era buildings that surround the square.

BLOODY POINT
By 1626 both the British and the French settlements were expanding at such a rate that the Carib community began to perceive a threat to its very existence on the island. Joining forces with Caribs from a number of other islands, Chief Tegremante prepared to attack the European settlements. Meanwhile, despite growing animosity between the French and the British, the two communities put aside their differences in order to mount a combined, pre-emptive attack on the Carib. As a result, tragically over 2,000 Carib Indians were massacred at Bloody Point.

OLD ROAD BAY
It was here at Old Road Bay that Sir Thomas Warner, along with his family and along with 14 other colonists began the first permanent European settlement in the Leeward Islands. Initially, the settlers were on good terms with the island’s Carib inhabitants, although this friendship would be shortlived. Rather than cultivating sugar, it was tobacco that had drawn Warner to the island, and it was the island’s tobacco crop that first supported the settlement. The Warner family estate served as the capital of St. Kitts until 1727, when it was moved to Basseterre. Outside of Old Road Bay a number of interesting Carib petroglyphs can be found.

WINGFIELD RIVER AND WATER WORKS
When the English arrived in the 1600s, and were allowed to settle between the two rivers (Wingfield and East Rivers) at Old Road, the Caribs were concentrated in the area around Wingfield River. After the evictions of the Caribs in 1629, the English settled the lands in the area and cultivated tobacco, ginger, indigo and cotton. With the introduction of sugar in the 1640’s, Wingfield developed into a major sugar plantation and one of the very few on the island to use water to power its factory works. The aqueduct is a unique architectural feature on the island and found only at Wingfield Estate Yard. The nearby river and its forested watershed has always been a major resource for the area. Like all plantations on St. Kitts, Wingfield provided for its own fresh water needs. Since the 19th Century it has formed part of the public water supply system serving the population on the leeward side of the island.

BERKELEY MEMORIAL
Built in 1883, this memorial stands at the center of Basseterre’s Circus. It honors Thomas Berkeley Hardtman-Berkeley, an important figure in St. Kitts’ history. Born in Sandy Point in 1824, he would go on to own six estates across the island — Fountain, Greenland, Greenhill, Ottleys, Shadwell, and Stone Fort. Berkeley also held a number of influential positions: Throughout his life, he served as a colonel in the Kittitian militia, President of the General Legislative Council, and Vice President of the Federal Council of the Leeward Islands. After his death in 1881, George Smith and Co of Glasgow, Scotland, designed a monument in his name and erected it in the heart of St. Kitts’ capital. It has stood there ever since.

Beaches

BANANA BAY
This beautiful, secluded beach is at the very tip of the southeast peninsula and offers pristine waters, soft sand, swaying coconut trees and uninterrupted peace. As is the case with the other beaches on the peninsula, you will need a car to get out to this oasis. However, if you do not have a rental vehicle, our taxi drivers will be happy to drop you off and come back at a prearranged time. Coming and going, enjoy the spectacular views along the way.

COCKLESHELL BAY
Cockleshell Bay is a secluded stretch of powder-white sand. Over two miles (3 km) long, it offers a splendid view of our sister island of Nevis, since it sits directly on the Narrows – the channel between the two islands. Well placed restaurants and grills provide an authentic Caribbean mix between fine dining and good ol’ reggae style barbeque. Just keep an eye out for alcohol stealing Vervet Monkeys. This beach is also the home of the world-famous Reggae Beach Bar on the East end and Spice Mill Restaurant on the West side. This beach is ideal for water sports lovers as they are able to engage a number of water sports activities or perhaps hop on a water taxi for a 7 minute zip over to Nevis.

DIEPPE BAY BEACH
This small palm-lined, black sand beach is protected by a major reef, making it ideal for bathing. As home to a variety of marine life, the reef also makes for excellent snorkeling. When you settle back for some sun, you’ll find the tanning process enhanced by the shiny volcanic sand that draws so many visitors to this exotic beach. As you gaze out at the water, you will be looking at the Caribbean Sea on your left, and the Atlantic Ocean on your right. A stunning view of nearby Sint Eustatius lies to the north.

HALF MOON BAY
Like Conaree Bay, this Atlantic facing beach is great for a brisk swim and some exhilarating bodysurfing. Although there are no facilities on this beach, the serenity is well worth the drive.

NORTH FRIGATE BAY
This powder white-sand Atlantic coast beach is literally in walking distance from the south side. It is ideal for relaxing, swimming, windsurfing and traditional surfing in some areas. Various hotels and restaurants, like the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the Sugar Bay Club, are situated on this stretch of beach. Swimming is restricted within the breakwater zone.

SANDY BANK BAY
This is an unusually calm Atlantic beach with a quiet, romantic aura. While bathing in the warm waters or strolling across the white sand, you will very much appreciate the privacy that the Sandy Bank affords, since there are no restaurants or water sports available here to draw any resemblance of a crowd. You will need a car or taxi to get here, but any of our friendly taxi drivers can drop you off and pick you up whenever you choose.

SOUTH FRIARS BAY
The Caribbean Sea side of Friars Bay provides a splendid beach experience for all. The water is calm and the atmosphere is usually quite lively, especially on Sundays. Food and drinks are available. It is an excellent outing for the entire family.

SOUTH FRIGATE BAY
Here you will find the most action-packed strip of beach on the Caribbean Sea. And here the party goes on until the wee hours of the morning. This one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, is ideal for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing and various other water sports. It is also lined with various types of beach shacks – island bars that serve drinks, food, craft, and trinkets in an atmosphere infused with infectious Caribbean rhythm. On the eastern end, there is a hotel & restaurant (Timothy Beach Hotel), and other restaurants serving some of the tastiest meals on island. The western end features Buddies bar and nightclub.

TURTLE BEACH
Turtle Beach is situated at the extreme end of the South East Peninsula, and is ideal for a day out. If you are out on a boat and you are lucky, you might see the odd dolphin or pod of whales passing through, especially in wintertime. The beach is great for bathing.

WHITE HOUSE BAY
The rocky reef that shelters White House Bay, and a sunken tugboat that harbors great schools of multi-colored fish and other marine life, make it ideal for snorkeling. When you’ve seen it all, this is a delightful spot to just float around and take in some Vitamin D. This snorkeling sight is enhanced with the enchanting Salt Plage Restaurant and Bar. Enjoy the best sunset, sip your favourite cocktail or snorkel get in touch with nature under and above water.

Bird Watching

BIRD WATCHING IN ST. KITTS
From thick rainforests that cover the Northern, Central and Southern mountain ranges, an abundance of freshwater ponds and miles of pristine shoreline, St. Kitts is blessed with a myriad of beautiful, complex ecosystems teeming with wildlife. Birders will be pleasantly surprised at the abundant birdlife to be seen at certain times of the year, offering fantastic bird watching opportunities on the Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis.

St. Kitts boasts 9 different ponds, all of which are a magnet for waders and other birds and almost all of them are easily accessible. At least 203 different species have been recorded on the twin island federation, but the actual number is far higher. With very few resident birders on St. Kitts, the island has simply not had enough boots on the ground or eyes to binoculars to spot! This presents a high possibility for birders visiting the island to sight new species to be recorded.

Birders will delight in coming face to feather with birds like the Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Cattle Egret, American Kestrel, Royal Tern, Feral Pigeon, Zenaida Dove, Common Ground-dove, Caribbean Elaenia, Grey Kingbird, Caribbean Martin, Scaly-breasted Thrasher, Bananaquit, Black-faced Grassquit & Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, and Black-whiskered Vireo.

Culture & History

THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE OF ST. KITTS
Steeped in a rich and tumultuous history that has shaped the island and its people, St. Kitts was once considered the gateway to the Caribbean. Step back in time, stay at a remarkable Caribbean resort, take a scenic railway tour of the old sugar plantations, sample island delicacies, get a glimpse into our fascinating culture and connect with the warm Kittitians you’ll meet along the way.

In the middle of it all – The peaceful calm of St. Kitts suggests nothing of the extraordinary history of the island. For centuries, St. Kitts occupied a critical position in the European struggle for the islands of the West Indies, which were rich with sugar plantations and were considered the gateway to the Caribbean. As a result, the struggles and conflicts in and around St. Kitts shaped much of the history of the entire Caribbean.

ISLAND HISTORY
The peace and tranquility of St. Kitts belies the extraordinary and often violent history of the island. For centuries, St. Kitts occupied a critical position in the European struggle for the islands of the West Indies, which were rich in sugar plantations and were considered the gateway to the Caribbean. At the center of it all, the struggles and conflicts in and around St. Kitts shaped much of the history of the Caribbean, prompting the island to be known as the “Mother Colony”.

DISCOVERY AND EARLY TIMES
The recorded history of St. Kitts begins in 1493, when Christopher Colombus sailed past the island on his second voyage of discovery, but did not land. Its not certain if he named the island after himself, or after the patron saint of travelers, St. Christopher. Nevertheless, by the time Englishman Thomas Warner arrived with fourteen other settlers in 1624 to establish the first non-Spanish European colony in the Caribbean, the island was known as St. Christopher’s. Later on it was affectionately nicknamed St. Kitts.

BLESSED BY A VOLCANO
Mt. Liamuiga, St. Kitts’ central peak is actually a 3,792-foot extinct volcano, known as Mt. Liumuiga (meaning fertile soil) and the source of the island’s lush tropical vegetation and rich geological history. The volcano stands majestically above the growing rainforests that continue to spread their green canopies where sugar cane fields were once cultivated. The islands fertile soil, along with its fresh water, abundant forests and salt is what drew settlers of the Caribbean to St. Christopher.

SUGAR INDUSTRY
SWEET SPOT OF THE CARRIBEAN
Of all the English colonies in the Caribbean, St. Kitts was the oldest and wealthiest – with rich volcanic soil and an ideal climate for lucrative sugar plantations. Annually St. Kitts yielded a fortune in sugar and rum for its wealthy, mostly absentee, landholders. By around 1775, the time of the American Revolution, 68 sugar plantations existed on St. Kitts, one for every square mile. Production innovations on the island, led St. Kitts to become the world leader in sugar cane cultivation and a catalyst for the industrial revolution.

A BITTER SWEET ENDING
Slavery was finally abolished throughout all the British colonies in 1834, and with it the eventual demise of the sugar industry. Europe’s beet sugar undersold Caribbean cane. Depressed market prices could not offset the production and transportation costs for an island crop. In 2005, the Government officially closed both the remaining cane fields and sugar factory due to plummeting profits. An exciting new era has dawned on the island, with tourism the new focus of income for St. Kitts. Perhaps best symbolized by the sugar train railway, now transformed into the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, a one-of-a-kind tour offering breathtaking ocean vistas and takes visitors through many of the sugar plantation ruins.